Brian Hamilton Posted January 24, 2008 Report Share Posted January 24, 2008 One of the most unlikely qualifiers must have been Fenman Fred Brand. At the time he made it to Wembley he was only holding a Reserve spot in the Norwich Stars team. On the night Fred took a victory in one of his rides and ended in mid-table of the scorers. Billy Bales only reached one World Final and this was when he qualified as a Reserve but got into the Final when Aub Lawson was injured shortly before the big night. In the same final as Billy was Phil Clarke, but Phil never came over as an individualist so his big night could be called unlikely. Another one-time finalist was Terry Betts but in reality it should have been one of many for him <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Good rider Terry Betts, I liked him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunters Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 (edited) One of the most unlikely qualifiers must have been Fenman Fred Brand. At the time he made it to Wembley he was only holding a Reserve spot in the Norwich Stars team. On the night Fred took a victory in one of his rides and ended in mid-table of the scorers. Billy Bales only reached one World Final and this was when he qualified as a Reserve but got into the Final when Aub Lawson was injured shortly before the big night. In the same final as Billy was Phil Clarke, but Phil never came over as an individualist so his big night could be called unlikely. Another one-time finalist was Terry Betts but in reality it should have been one of many for him I saw Fred Brand riding for Yarmouth Bloaters in 1950 but for the life of me never recalled him making the World Final and I saw most of them up to the early 60's. Just goes to show what happens to the Little Grey Cells. What year did Fred get there? Edited January 28, 2008 by Hunters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 1954. He came 7th equal with 7 points. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star ghost Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Fred Brand's World Final appearance came in the important 1954 meeting Barry Briggs, Peter Craven and Ove Fundin made their debuts that night also. Fred won the opening heat ahead of Aub Lawson and ex World & British Champion Tommy Price. In heat 8 Fred could only manage third place, ahead of Ove Fundin. In heat 12 he failed to score in a race won by double champion Jack Young from future winner Barry Briggs. His 4th ride saw him take two points behind Brian Crutcher who was to finish runner-up on the night. Behind Fred in that heat were Split Waterman, who had twice stood on the rostrum in 2nd place in recent seasons and Peter Craven who was to win the next year. Fred took just one point from heat 20 behind Ronnie Moore, who was crowned Champion shortly afterwards, and Olle Nygren who took third place overall. Fred has recently celebrated his Diamond Wedding and from the photo I saw he looks in good nick. "Maybe even good enough to be a number 8 again?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
father jack Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Bob kilby had the ability to make a World Final, and I would say Neil Street as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 Agree with both those names Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddfossengen Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Agree with both those names tony lomas another rider who was at the top of his game for years but never got close ps what happened to him??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.N.T. Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Without checking the lists of who did and didn't ride, here are some names that spring to mind Dag Lovaas Chris Pusey Ray Wilson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Without checking the lists of who did and didn't ride, here are some names that spring to mind Dag Lovaas Chris Pusey Ray Wilson Willie rode in four World Finals, and Lovaas qualified in 1974. That leaves Chris Pusey who has already been mentioned. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Willie rode in four World Finals, and Lovaas qualified in 1974. That leaves Chris Pusey who has already been mentioned. Steve And, with all due respect to Chris Pusey who was a great club loyalist and a steady GB international, he was never, in my memory of those times, really a contender at World or British championship indiv. level, was he..?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 (edited) And, with all due respect to Chris Pusey who was a great club loyalist and a steady GB international, he was never, in my memory of those times, really a contender at World or British championship indiv. level, was he..?? I know exactly what you're saying, but he could (and probably should) have easily been. He was sometimes a little temperamental, but I don't think he ever totally recovered from his broken leg. Steve Edited February 9, 2008 by chunky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Posted February 9, 2008 Report Share Posted February 9, 2008 Some that haven't been included so far.... Bill Andrew Steve Bastable Garry Middleton Bobby Ott Ron Preston Mark Courtney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted February 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Some that haven't been included so far.... Bill Andrew Steve Bastable Garry Middleton Bobby Ott Ron Preston Mark Courtney Bastable did make it as reserve in 78, of course. I did actually think about Garry Middleton, but I don't think he ever managed the consistency. I think the same with both Courtney and Ott; both had promise, but neither really fulfilled their potential. Andrew maybe, but Preston was definitely good enough. I just think a couple more years of top quality league speedway here would have really made the difference. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.N.T. Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 With the GP series being much harder to get into, the list may be adding a few names in future years, but at least some riders are getting Wild Card rides to say they have ridden on the big stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Someone I always thought would but never made World Champion was Marvyn Cox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.